It takes more than firm pressure to create tissue change during a massage treatment. The real change takes place when your body's fight or flight system takes a backseat.

The body has two modes of operating: "everything is ok" vs. "go-go-go!". The go-go-go is the sympathetic nervous system rev'd up to protect you, which means there is no way to get in there and melt your muscles.

An ongoing relationship with a massage therapist makes a big difference. First, your body knows what to expect from the massage which helps your natural guard to relax. Second, when you work with a massage therapist over time they learn how your muscles respond and they are able to skip typical warm ups and shake outs and get to the real work quicker.

When you experience touch by someone you trust, your happy hormone levels spike and your muscles give you a break.